Schaumburg patrol cars and motorcycles to get video systems

Technology will help police nail DUI complaints

Beware of the candid camera: Schaumburg police will install video systems in both their patrol cars and motorcycles in the months ahead.

CDS Office Technologies will provide 40 in-car and motorcycle video systems at a cost of $334,620 to Schaumburg public safety officers.

The Schaumburg Village Board approved the expenditure. According to the village, $299,818 comes from an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant, and $34,802 from the Police Department's DUI Technology Fund.

"The ultimate goal is for officer safety and evidentiary value for DUI cases," said Deputy Chief Paul Rizzo, explaining many judges now request police video in DUI cases, something the department hasn't been able to effectively produce in the past. The department had participated in a short-lived experiment using cameras with highly sensitive sensors that were solely focused on the driver, which was abandoned three years ago. Prior to that, the department used VHS tapes which were easily damaged.

The Panasonic Toughbook Arbitrator 360-degree system should be installed in all 36 village patrol cars and motorcycles, as well as the vehicles used by the police chief and deputy chiefs by January. They will feature a forward camera in the front of the squad, a back seat camera, and two outward-facing side cameras, as well as a rear-facing camera.

"It will be 360-degree coverage," Rizzo said, "because not all of the action happens between the headlights."

The cameras also will assist in instances where complaints are filed against officers, he said. Rizzo found that about half of such complaints are withdrawn when those complaining are notified of video surveillance in vehicles, he said, referring to a 2006 study conducted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

"We have very few complaints," Rizzo said. "Even one a year is one more than I would like to see. The cameras will modify driver behavior and remind officers to be professional and courteous."

The department's detective cars, the canine unit and the auxiliary and community service vehicles will not be equipped with the new cameras.